The biggest thing that is making me watch less and less is the fact that most people will never use half the products you do. Like the Lattice. 99.9% of your viewers will have to use store Lattice as cost is to be considered. I estimate that each piece of Lattice you put on this house costs about $50 finished. Multiply that by 20 sheets and your at a cool $1000 for your Lattice. Most of us would go to the store and purchase 10 Lattice sheets for about $300. 10 sheets as each make up two panels. It would be really nice, for a change, that you would fix up a house the same way most of us would. Probably the reason Ask This Old House has out classed This Old House.
This portable jobsite table saw head-to-head includes 8 saws from; Bosch, Delta, DEWALT, Hitachi, Makita, Ridgid, SawStop and Skilsaw. Originally, we had also to include Ryobi as a budget friendly option for DIY’ers or guys just starting in the trades. However, we were not able to adapt that saw to our testing rigs so we pulled it from the testing (you may see some photos with the saw but again we’re not including it in the results).
Designed to be Portable – In case you hadn’t already gathered from the above section, this is a table saw from Bosch that is clearly designed to be portable. If you’re going to need a table saw that can be moved on and off of a worksite with little effort, you’ll definitely find that to be the case with the Bosch 4100-09 and it’s included Gravity Rise Stand.
Measuring approximately 22” x 38”, the contractor table saw is then next size up from the bench style. It typically sits on an open attached stand or base which may or may not be on wheels. It weighs between 200-300 pounds and is still portable but requires more than one person to lift. This style of table saw is good for woodworking shops, hobbyists, small contractors and DIYers. The 1-2 hp motors have enough power and stability to handle more heavy duty job site work and workshop demands. One of the benefits to these saws is that they still run on standard electrical circuits.

It’s often overwhelming when looking for new power tools and products online. So many features, specs and brands etc to research and review. So, what should you look for when buying a new table saw? One thing we always mention is to make sure you read as many table saw reviews as you can before purchasing one, this will insure you have the best table saw for your requirements.

The final brand that’s definitely worth a mention when it comes to evaluating the brands we’ll be featuring in our table saw reviews is Ryobi. They’re largely known for manufacturing components for use in the automobile, electronics and telecommunications industry. However, they’ve more recently branched out into their own range of power tools and other hardware related tools, including table saws. With that taken into consideration, from our experience of Ryobi’s products, we’d definitely say that they’re a brand well worth keeping your eye on.

The Bosch GTS1031 Portable Table Saw is an excellent tool for any craftsman - definitely one of the best tools you could add to your work arsenal. We love that it is easily transported from place to place thanks to its lightweight design and ergonomic carry handle. The design transfers all of the weight of the machine to a specified center of gravity and helps to make it easier to carry the 50 pound machine. The Bosch GTS1031 Portable Table Saw also comes with a smart guard system that helps the device perform at peak levels while keep you safe during your work.
The cabinet saws are the most powerful woodworking machines. They are durable and strong enough to resist for a long period of time. Most people prefer them because of their impressive features which make them precise and extremely accurate. The motors of these units usually run on 240V and produce from 3 to 5 hp. As mentioned before they are very heavy. Most models weight more than 500 pounds, however, this makes them very stable.
“The SPT99 table saw can accommodate dado cutting up to 13/16″ wide in a single pass. WARNING -To reduce the risk of injury, always disconnect plug from power source before changing blades. WARNING – To reduce the risk of injury, always use the Skilsaw SPTA70WT-DD 1/2 inch Dado Blade Table Insert or the Skilsaw SPT00A 13/16 inch Dado Blade Table Insert (both include dado accessory washer). Never make dado cuts without this insert. Do not use dado sets larger than 8″ diameter.”
Though this Jet 708674PK XACTASAW Deluxe 3HP Cabinet Saw comes with the same three-horsepower motor found on the last cabinet saw, it comes with a shorter 30-inch rip fence that may be a little too short some of your projects. It features all the same great features that made Jet so popular with contractors, including a cast-iron enclosed cabinet that stops dust from entering the motor and a poly-v drive belt system that runs more quietly than other belt systems.
Todd – Yes I was referring to the “flatness” which some reviewers were complaining about. Thank you for your response. My problem is that I don’t have any workspace in my garage. It is a tiny garage which we use for storage so I need a saw I can store there but will be doing the actual cutting in the driveway so I have to move it out there to cut, then store it back in the garage in a tight space. I thought maybe a job site saw like one of these would work well but I would be making furniture and “woodworking” projects so maybe not. thanks for your feedback.
Another saw that earns good marks from both professionals and users is the DeWalt DWE7491RS (Est. $500). Todd Fratzel of ToolBoxBuzz.com, who says he's normally a "huge fan" of Bosch table saws, nonetheless declares this DeWalt "the best overall job site + mobile stand option out there." He praises the power and accuracy of the table saw, adding that it had no trouble dealing with various materials he tested (3/4-inch plywood, 2x framing material, and 1x maple lumber). He also notes that its rip capacity of 32-1/2 inches is bigger than any other portable saw's – a full 7-1/2 inches bigger than the Bosch 4100-09's. Fratzel loves the wheeled mobile stand, which makes it easy for one person to move this fairly heavy saw (roughly 90 pounds). He says the stand is very easy to set up and allows for the saw to be stored on end, taking up less space.
An idea for next time you do a table saw review – what’s most important to me is REPEATABILITY of adjustments. Same for the fence – I want to know that, wherever I set it, it’s ALWAYS accurate and straight. I’m OK if the saw needs some tuning up out of the box – most saws do – but I really want to know that I can trust the saw to HOLD its adjustments, especially if I’m moving it around a lot. This I find is the weakness of jobsite saws in general – they just don’t STAY accurate for very long as vibration and just moving them around jar things out of position. Essentially, I want to know which of these saws is going to need constant fiddling, vs which ones ‘just work.’ with minimal fuss.
The DeWalt will do you proud for a broad spread of applications. If you’re a home woodworker, you’ll be able to rip sheet material, size material as thick as 3 inches, frame lumber and make cross cuts to your heart’s content. For professionals, the DeWalt is perfect for trim carpentry, installation of hardwood floors, decking or remodeling. There’s very little you can’t do with this beast.
With a cutting speed of at least 4,500 RPM, nothing will hold you back from getting the job done in minutes. Hitachi job site table saw is designed to give you freedom in your work and the ability to manage your time. Keep every minute accountable by investing in the right tools for your workshop. However, during different occasions, you will have different materials both in size and texture. During such moments, you will require adjusting the fence to accommodate your material and cutting style. This job site table saw is designed with an adjustable feature to ensure your precision and accuracy is not compromised. The low power consumption makes it easy for you to maintain the saw and enjoy smooth and accurate results at no extra cost. When it’s not in use, the table saw has fold and roll stand that guarantees you space saving and convenient storage. The foldable design also makes it easy to transport from one place to the other comfortably.
Above are the results for RPM Blade Speed while cutting 3/4″ plywood. In the left column is the no-load blade speed and the right column is the lowest recorded blade speed during the cut. The drop in blade speed is fairly small ranging from 6% for Hitachi and Ridgid, 7% for Makita and SawStop, 9% Bosch, 11% DEWALT, 14% SkilSaw, and 24% for the Delta.

Best of all, the XACTASAW Deluxe features a left tilting blade design, an industrial grade 50-inch commercial t-square fence, and an integrated miter gauge for making ultra-precise cuts on the toughest of woodworking materials. No matter the complexity of your woodworking project, this cabinet saw has you covered. This is definitely a world class tool for world class craftsmen, and it is an ideal addition to any woodworking shop whether you are starting out or you’ve been on the job for years.

An excellent choice both for professional woodworkers and hobbyists with a more expansive tool budget, the Shop Fox W1819 is a 10 inch table saw ideal for making clean cuts along greater lengths of material without pinching or kickback. The blade itself is covered while in operation by a clear polycarbonate blade guard that moves back as the workpiece is passed along over the blade.
Once you’ve gathered your materials, turn your attention to the plate in the middle of the table saw. It surrounds the blade and should have two screws that hold it in place (however some models will have four). Use your screwdriver to undo these screws and set them aside. Then take the plate off and set it to the side as well. Then check to make sure the blade is at its full height by going to the back of your table saw and winding the blade up to full height.
Bengt – We appreciate the feedback as it always helps us get better. Having said that I think some of your concerns were evaluated and included in the results in ways that may not be entirely clear. We adjusted each saw after checking the blade/fence measurements and had no issues getting them adjusted (I may add some text to reinforce that in the article). We don’t do long term testing in this type of article as it’s simply not feasible…so making a statement about whether the saw holds those adjustments isn’t feasible. We evaluated the fences and ranked them in the ergonomics section, we even did lateral load testing on them as part of that ranking.

If you’re looking for a machine with high capacity, the SKIL 3410-02 has a 3.5-inch cut height with the ability to cut through four times the material on each pass. The consensus among reviewers is that, for such a low price, you end up compromising on miter gauge and saw blade quality. Luckily both of those things can be replaced if you so choose.

Affordable Price Point – The price of the product is something that you’ll want to carefully consider when it comes to buying a table saw. This is largely because different people have different budgets to work with. Coming in at well under $100, you can likely imagine that this table saw from Ryobi comes in at the lower end of the market and for that low price point, you are going to have to make some compromises in terms of power and speed. However, occasional hobbyists should find that this table saw still gets the job done well.
Whether your household’s resident handyman dabbles in amateur woodwork or takes pride in his DIY repair jobs, chances are he doesn’t need a high-end table saw to take care of his most basic needs. The Ryobi 15 Amp Table Saw is the ideal example of a machine that packs a load of must-have features you’d find in a higher-end table saw at a fraction of the price of competing models.
Choosing the best portable jobsite table saw wasn’t an easy task but we’re confident we’ve done a thorough evaluation. In a very close race for the best table saw Hitachi beat out the DEWALT which came in second place followed by Skilsaw in third and Makita in fourth. It’s very interesting that the Hitachi and DEWALT look extremely similar. Hitachi edged out the DEWALT in performance and price resulting in the final scores. Skilsaw beat out Makita for the 3rd place only slightly and that result is really a function of pricing.
Table saws are pretty complicated pieces of kit and because of that, you can likely imagine that they’re also pretty dangerous at the same time. This is especially the case if you’re using a table saw for the first time. With that in mind, you’ll want to make sure that your table saw features appropriate safety features when buying. There’s nothing worse than falling victim to one of the many accidents that happen every single year as a result of using a table saw.
I am looking to upgrade from my first table saw which is the Ryobi that you reviewed (had to find something cheap that was decent). I do a lot of rip cuts, as well as fine precision cuts for laminating and joinery required for frames, furniture, etc. I am looking at the Skilsaw and the Dewalt 7480 and cannot decide which would be best for me. Any insight would be helpful!
Looking to purchase a portable saw for your DIY projects? Are you interested in funding some quality tool to cut large pieces of wood properly? Then, take a look at this incredible model. When buying this kind of tool is very important to understand several things including its capabilities. When it comes to accurate cuts and quiet operation, the DEWALT DW745 could be exactly what you are looking for. It is a popular model that comes with a lot of impressive features. It comes equipped with a Pro Modular Guarding System for increased accuracy. It is powered by a powerful 15 amp motor and it has a large 20-inch rip capacity. Thanks to its powerful motor, it delivers a no-load speed of 3850 rpm. Also, it should be noted that it uses blade guards. Plus, it comes equipped with a miter gauge, a push stick and a dependable 10-inch, 24-tooth carbide blade. The DW745 is covered by a 3-year limited warranty and 90-day money-back warranty. In addition to this, there is 1-year free service.

With so many models available on the market, it is not easy to find a high-quality model. If you don’t pay attention to details when choosing a product, you will end up purchasing a unit that doesn’t worth the money. However, this is not the case of the Bosch GTS1031. When it comes to sheer power, this Bosch model is among the best. It comes with a powerful 15-amp motor that delivers 5000 rpm. More than that, it is able to cut as deep as 3-1/8 inches at 90 degrees and 2-1/4 inches at 45 degrees. The GTS1031 measures 22.5 x 22.5 x 13 inches and weighs 52 lbs.. It is compact and relative light, so you can easily carry it using one hand. The fact that it has a rip capacity of 18 inches is a major perk because it can easily cut large sheets of material including flooring, hardwoods, plywood and more others. As compared to other similar units, this model is equipped with modular safety features. This means that all the features can be easily attached and detached, depending on your preferences. All in all, this great tool is surely an option worth taking into consideration.

You’ll make most of your miter cuts on a miter saw. But when the material you’re cutting exceeds a miter saw’s cross-cutting capacity, you turn to your table saw miter gauge. These usually aren’t quite as precise, but some manufacturers put more thought and robustness into it than others. If you make a lot of long miter cuts, be sure to pay attention to this accessory.
The fence on a table saw is one of its defining features and allows for precise, square, and repeatable cuts. Not all fences are equal though and a poorly built fence is a deal-breaker, in my opinion. Not only will a poorly built and implemented fence affect the quality of your cuts, but a fence that moves or is not square to the blade can cause your material to bind and kickback.
When it comes to Japanese engineering, Makita are known as a name to be trusted. With that in mind, you can likely imagine what the Makita names in the eastern world, but that doesn’t mean that their products aren’t well suited for use in the United States and other western countries too. The company was formed from a small shop in Nagoya, back in 1915 and since then has expanded across the globe, selling their products in over 150 countries, but still managing to maintain their ethos of good quality.

Other than getting a cutting tool that will lighten your work, investing in an item that will ensure you are satisfied by its construction, performance and longevity are the desire of every customer. DEWALT understands better the needs of various customers and has been in the business for a long time. The many year’s experiences have given the company trust in customers. Therefore, they manufacture strong tools with high performance and back them with a sustaining warranty. The table saw is designed with a portable style for use in any room comfortably. 15 amp, gives a powerful and consistent performance to ensure you don’t have pending jobs on various days. The large rip capacity makes it easy for you to cut even large materials comfortably. When using this saw, all you need is to keep your eyes open, it has a guide system that will provide accuracy and precision in your work automatically.

If you already own one or more power tool products in Bosch’s range, then you should find that your table saw works comfortably with that. It’s also worth mentioning that Bosch have clearly targeted their power tool products at the general audience, more so than Dewalt who as we’ve already mentioned have designed their products for professionals. Either way, you’ll find that both brands similarly and comfortably offer a good quality cutting experience through their ranges of table saws.

There are three areas of importance that you’ll need to protect – your ears, eyes, and arms. To start with, you’ll want to make sure that you have a pair of earplugs or noise reducing headphones that will help to minimize the negative effects of being exposed to loud noise for prolonged periods of time. While this may seem like a small solution, it is something that you’ll want to make sure you take into full consideration – to avoid doing so could be extremely detrimental to your overall health.
When you purchase your table saw, more than likely it will have standard 10” carbide tipped blade that is good for general purpose use. This blade is capable of cross cutting a 4 x 4. If you replace it with a 40 tooth combination blade you will improve the quality of your cuts significantly and more than likely be much happier with the blade overall. You can get specialty blades also if you are going to be cutting other materials as well.
If height adjustments were standardized, we could expect each saw to make them nearly identically. Taking a look under the hood, we discovered several different methods—each with their own effect. Most of the saws employ a bevel gear system that provides smooth and reliable performance. We noticed that many used solid metal gearing, but Bosch used plastic for both the 4100 and the REAXX.
Affordable Price Point – The price of the product is something that you’ll want to carefully consider when it comes to buying a table saw. This is largely because different people have different budgets to work with. Coming in at well under $100, you can likely imagine that this table saw from Ryobi comes in at the lower end of the market and for that low price point, you are going to have to make some compromises in terms of power and speed. However, occasional hobbyists should find that this table saw still gets the job done well.
Every woodworker knows the plague of working in a dusty environment. The SawStop has a fantastic dust collection system so you can enjoy your cutting without your eyes being strained. Almost all of the dust is wicked away both above and below the table. Up above, the blade does all the legwork and there’s a neatly designed shroud which pulls all this dust away from the blade. The 4-inch port means you can slip your shop vac on with no issues.
In addition to its cutting versatility, the PM1000 also features a blade surround and collection hose for dust extraction. This method of collecting dust while the saw is in operation improves both blade visibility and air quality in the shop. Best of all, the 50-inch fence provides exceptional control when ripping lengthy sections of wood, and the extended geometry of the table allows for easier manipulation of longer workpieces.

You’ll make most of your miter cuts on a miter saw. But when the material you’re cutting exceeds a miter saw’s cross-cutting capacity, you turn to your table saw miter gauge. These usually aren’t quite as precise, but some manufacturers put more thought and robustness into it than others. If you make a lot of long miter cuts, be sure to pay attention to this accessory.

Continuing our discussion into the power of table saws, there’s another key contributing factor to that power and that’s the blade size. You should find that this blade size determines what you’re able to cut through using your table saw and the thickness of the materials that you’re able to cut through. In all, if you’re looking for a good all round blade size that just works comfortably, you’ll find anything within the 12 inch range to do the job. In fact, most table saws that we’ve seen for commercial sale feature this blade size.

A cabinet table saw is so named because it has an enclosed style base. This saw is the opposite of the contractor saw. Cabinet table saws are designed to be functional and lasting to meet the qualifications that are required by people who work with wood for a living. They are constructed to be more durable than contractor saws. Makita table saw offers many popular options at a very affordable price.

If the aforementioned portable table saw is largely targeted at homeowners and those simply looking to complete the odd job, we’d definitely argue that a contractor table saw is aimed at well, contractors who need to transport their saw. You’ll find that a contractor table saw does offer some degree of portability, whilst still managing to maintain some of a complete table saw. With that in mind, some users describe this as the perfect sweet spot when it comes to table saws, offering a nice combination between power and portability.
Delta 36-L336 3 HP Motor Uni-saw with 36 Delta 36-L336 3 HP Motor Uni-saw with 36 in. Biesemeyer Fence System is ideal for woodworking cabinet making and boat building. It features speedometer style scales and a 36 in. Biesemeyer fence. The 3 HP 230-Volt motor cuts hardwoods and engineered products like MDF and melamine. The riving knife enables ... More + Product Details Close
It's not really a great choice for professional woodworkers, but for home do-it-yourself users looking for a more than competent contractor saw for their workshop, the Ridgid R4512 is a terrific value. It lacks the SawStop's safety features, but comes in at less than a third of its price. Build quality is first rate, most users say, with a cast iron table that does good job of damping down vibration. Users add that it cuts smoothly and accurately.
Innovative Gravity Rise Sand – When it comes to the features of Bosch’s 4100-09 table saw, there’s clearly only one place to start and that’s with the Gravity Rise Stand that comes as part of the package here. This is basically a stand that can be intelligently adjusted to your liking and then wheeled away when you’re finished using the table saw. It’s a pretty innovative idea from Bosch and definitely one of the best stands that we’ve seen included with any table saw that we’ve reviewed or on the market.
In a direct drive, the blade is directly connected to the motor. So the motor can transfer all its power to the blade directly. There is practically no loss of power in this process. It produces much less vibration and noise in comparison to a belt drive. They are relatively small and lightweight. They are also safer! It also costs less so generally it is a winner. However, there are reasons to go for a belt drive for bigger jobs.

It’s best to avoid this issue entirely by making sure that there is no material that could catch on any of your work material and jeopardize your health or safety. Now that you’ve got the basics down for how to properly dress for working with your table saw, you’re ready to inspect your equipment. To start with, you’ll want to make sure the table saw is unplugged before examining it and making sure you’re good to go.

The Craftsman table saw is one of the most compact of the bunch when it’s folded up. And if you can get it for the sale price of $260, it’s also the cheapest of the best table saw options. The blade guard and anti-kickback pawls are identical to the Porter-Cable and are the hardest of any of the saws to install. And they are the only two blade guards that don’t have a feature to hold them out of the way when you’re adjusting the blade or setting up the cut.